Israel s attacks in Lebanon unjustified Macron says as he plans call with Trump

PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron said there had been no activity justifying Israels strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon on Friday and that he would call U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the attacks.

Israels air force bombed a building in Beiruts southern suburbs, its first substantive strike on the Lebanese capital since a November ceasefire, brokered by France and the U.S., that ended a war between Israel and Hezbollah.

The framework agreed upon by Lebanon and Israel was not respected today by Israel, unilaterally, and without us having either information or proof of the triggering event, Macron said.

Macron held a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Paris to discuss economic reforms and efforts to stabilise Lebanon.

The French president said he would call Trump in the coming hours and Netanyahu in the next 48 hours aiming to return to a full and complete observance of the ceasefire.

The November truce required Hezbollah to remove weapons from southern Lebanon, Israeli forces to withdraw, and Lebanon to deploy its national army in the region.

Since then, mutual accusations of violating the truce have been exchanged among Lebanon, Hezbollah and Israel. REUTERS

Join STs Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.